Stories from Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Nepal
Motha is a type of frozen dessert from the Jaunsar region of western Uttarakhand. Motha is unique in the sense that it includes natural fresh snow as one of the most important ingredients. I had this experience when Dr. Anil Dutt Sharma, a native of Jaunsar, invited me to try this local recipe at his residence in Tehri Garhwal.
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The most distinctive memories of my first ever visit of Nepal were from the trans-Himalayan region of this Himalayan nation. However, this post is not about the mountainous landscape but about 3 guys, Alex, Bvor and Robin (ABR) who, in an undecided manner, also happened to be my first travelling companions in Nepal for 5 days. During the time with ABR, I developed a better understanding about Nepali people, Nepali culture (songs to be particular), and socio-political complexities of this nation. Besides that they also helped me to escape the region where I had entered without any legal permit.Read more
One of the most mysterious things of my childhood was a lush green mountain in front of my native home. For a long time, the peak of the mountain was the highest ever point on the earth and I always wondered to imagine the view from the top. I had believed that if my home was up there, I would have been living in the paradise. But the day when I observed the same mountain from a distant point, I was surprisedRead more
Sometimes, the answers appear before the questions. I comprehended this aspect when a question, which never existed in my mind, got instantly fabricated after seeing the bright lights of innumerable electrical lamps, the answer, of the Kangra valley and of Dharamshala and Mcleodganj from Triund, a location which is approximately 2800 meters above the sea level on the Dhauladhar range of outer Himalayas. The question was, “How could the life on earth be discovered by the aliens, now?” VariousRead more
Whenever I see any of the mountains for the very first time, my mind starts to imagine about the view of the world from the top, the places on the peak and about the view on the other side of the mountain. This degree of fascination is proportional to the altitude and the difficulty level to hike over the mountain. Harder the mountain, the more mesmerized I feel to imagine all this. That’s why the feelings to view the partsRead more
For me, the term ‘Egyptian’ stands for mysterious. But having said that, I do not mean that Egyptians look like aliens. The very first images which come to my mind with the word ‘Egypt’ are Nile river civilization, the huge pyramids and many unsolved mysteries. So over the course of time, I have developed an enigmatic image for Egypt and things associated with it. That’s why when I heard about the Egyptian Vulture for the very first time, I imaginedRead more
Life, music and travel I wish to blend them all. Djembe, Flute or Viol I want to play all. Folks, Ballads or Gospel I dream to sing all. Yes, that’s me I want to paint murals on the wall. Be it a desert, hill or waterfall I desire to spot them all. Maasai, Zulu or Aborginal I wish to meet you all yes, thats me, I want to blend them all. Hey you amazing world, I want to love youRead more
“Which telecom company’s advertisement is this still image from?” This is how my online friend Imrans’s immediate reaction came, who had assumed that the still was downloaded from the webpage of Vodafone or Airtel or any other telecommunication company. For me it was a great compliment. I realized, yes, if I were a professional photographer associated with any telecom company, I could have gained some handsome amount in my account. For a moment Imran’s words hypnotized my mind to contactRead more
During primary school days, 1st or 2nd standard I guess, I and most of my classmates used to bring down a mountain and valley landscape in our drawing notebooks, having an isolated hut in the centre of the Valley, rising sun from the lofty peaks and a river coming from the mountains and passing near the right side of the house. After two decades, I come across a place which took me back to those colourful memories. From the topRead more
For the expansion of consciousness, feel and observe in now and move as far away as you can. Read more